Corydalis yanhusuo

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Pain · Traditional Chinese · Dopamine

A Chinese medicinal rhizome (Corydalis yanhusuo) whose alkaloid fraction includes dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist with unusual analgesic activity against inflammatory, neuropathic, and injury-related pain in animal models. Traditional use for headache, menstrual cramps, and visceral pain spans over 2000 years. Human clinical evidence is emerging but limited; preliminary trials suggest benefit in chronic musculoskeletal and abdominal pain. Should not be combined with antipsychotics or dopaminergic drugs.

Dose: 1–3 g dried rhizome or 500–1000 mg standardised extract 2–3 times daily